May 10, 2011

S is for Street ... Zipping Down the Fast Lane

Yellow Line Fever


Life is crazy for us right now.

For example:

* This morning my 14 year old has a chip on his shoulder.
* My 12 year old has therapy for her muscles in her back -- and we are leaving the house in just a few moments. This throws a kink in our school day like nothing else. Twice a week back therapy is not easy to school around.
* The 2 year old drew all over his toys with a red marker.
* The 3 month old spit up an entire feeding on my shirt and his brother's shirt. And the pillow that goes on my bed.
* I am possibly getting mastitis. Who has time for a heating pad 15 minutes before every feeding?
* The cat puked on the carpet in the game room.
* My mom is at the eye doctor being checked because of lost vision -- possibly another scare with diabetic retinopathy.
* Tomorrow we have four dentist appointments back to back.
* Daddy has a dentist appointment Friday and will probably be home part of the day -- which was our only day at home all day this week without doctor, dentist or therapy appointments... so we'll probably get very little schooling accomplished that can't be taken in the car with us... on the go.

Do you ever have weeks like that? Where life is a blur? With all our health troubles this past year, it has felt like I am living in a waiting room. Or a vehicle. School and life feel like they are on hold.

But are they? I'm sure there are lessons being learned that couldn't come from any book on our shelves. I'm pretty sure that we'll emerge from this as better people (at least better multi-taskers for sure).

Tell me some of your tricks for handling the stress of life in the fast lane. How do you find time for yourself? Time to truly enjoy the children even when life is chaos? How do you plan and still allow for life's interruptions? How do you handle it when your schedule has to be tossed out a box car window as your train derails?

Hang in there... you aren't alone.

Hosea 11:3-4 ~

3 It was I who taught Ephraim to walk,
taking them by the arms;
but they did not realize
it was I who healed them.
4 I led them with cords of human kindness,
with ties of love.
To them I was like one who lifts
a little child to the cheek,
and I bent down to feed them.


More info about this alphabetical photo meme is below...

Join up for the Homeschool Post has A B See Meme (an alphabetical photo meme) for a chance to win a prize each month. Each week they put FIVE of the best alphabet pictures on their blog each week to showcase them and once a month, a random winner is selected from the best photos of the month. All you do is upload your photos to their Flickr Group - so you don't even technically have to be a blogger to join... you just have to have an alphabetical themed photo and a flickr account! By the way, Flickr is free!

The meme is posted on Fridays each week and you don't necessarily have to start on the letter A or go in any particular order or at any particular speed... and you can skip weeks or not - up to you entirely.

Here are the links to the past few 'A B See' posts I have done here:
A is for antique.
B is for bugging big-sis.
C is for computer.
D is for digger.
E is for eat... and Elmers.
F is for fried rice.
G is for goofy girl.
H is for Heather.
I is for insect.
J is for joy.
K is for Kreative Spelling and Killer Homeschool Deals.
L is for live music.
M is for matryoshka.
N is for national cemetery.
O is for Orchids and Opryland.
P is for Pregnant.
Q is for quack.
R is for rocks.

Tip: Use the dictionary to get ideas if you are stumped on a letter. No excuses! Get clicking!

You have until each Friday morning to load your picture on the Flickr group and be considered for the top five that will be displayed next week. Don't forget: A prize goes out each month to one random participant!

12 comments:

Jenn said...

prayer. and chocolate. and more prayer.

find joy in the little things - giving Him thanks throughout the moments of crazy.

realize that even though your (our) plans may not be happening today, HIS are. maybe he wanted us to slow down from our high expectations we have on ourselves and our families and just enjoy one another - reading, playing games, etc. and have faith in what HE thinks is important WILL prevail.

...HIS will be done.

{i'm going to quit preaching to myself now and get back to the crazy here...)

xo

Maggie Hogan said...

Ditto to what Jenn said! And love your pic/blog/verse combination. God bless!

Stacey said...

I really wish I had an answer. I'm currently having a timeout in my room, hiding from my crazy....but your words encouraged me to get out there and get back to it!!!

TaderDoodles (Lisa B) said...

I completely NEEDED this post today!

I second what Jenn said... and add coffee. and frosting from a can. and netflix.

Shannon Wallace said...

I think you just need some prayer from your readers. :o) You cannot do this all on your own, you can only do it with Him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, in all your wasy acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths staight. Proverbs 3:5-6

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Sprittibee said...

Jenn-- yes, I'm finding joy in the little things. like brushed teeth. :)

Maggie-- Thanks for the encouragement.

Stacey-- love the time out visual. I won't tell you how often those are part of our routine. ;)

Lisa-- my hubs makes my coffee... and if I got up at 4:45am more often to have some with him, maybe I would be getting more done? frosting is a new idea... but i'm not sure i needed that one. ;)

Shannon-- Thanks so much for the prayers, Lord knows I need them. GREAT verses. Thank you!

Unknown said...

WOW! This is my world right now. Anything that can go wrong seems to be going wrong. I am so thankful for online curriculum we use it has helped us out a ton. I second the netflix! That is a life savior.
I am spending all my time quiet or not so quiet in prayer lately. Will be coming back to see what others have to say, too.

Lil' Momma
Living with a hard working husband, 2 preschoolers and 1 middle schooler who are Five in Training for HIM

Sandpiper said...

That sounded like my day yesterday, except for the appointments. It's all in how we handle it though, right?
Great picture!

Leanne said...

Hi Heather..this has been our world too for almost a year..the Lord has brought me to read and reread Philippians..the verse that He has been revealing to me is 4:11.. I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances!
This is hard sometimes..
God Bless
Leanne

Hodgepodgemom said...

I absolutely love your photo. I describes your real life list so well. And I love that you took the time to list it all and how hard it really is. Because, I have one I wrote about the same age/stage when my #5 was 1 mo. And I'm so thankful I wrote it down. (It's funny too!)

Yes, Jenn beat me to it. Prayer and chocolate. But I'd throw in coffee too with that extra chocolate. A soak in the tub. Just stepping out the front door at sunset and walking around the house - looking up at the sky, soaking a brief bit of sunlight, smiling, then stepping back in the back door to face the crazy. Walking around the house really helps. Just the practical girl speaking here.

There are seasons. You are accomplishing a great deal my friend. ~Tricia

Samantha said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Samantha said...

I'm glad I'm not the only mom who feels discouraged and frustrated with her parenting and her children! One specific time I felt like a failure: when my 4 year-old came up with 3 cavities! Has to be my fault, right? Anyway, found the Mom's Guide for Caring For Little Teeth. It gives great tips for dental care for infants through teenagers. Has helped me feel like I'm being proactive with my children in 1 small (but important) area! Here it is: http://www.1dental.com/moms-guide/

 

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